Born and raised in San Diego, California, RuPaul later studied performing arts in Atlanta, Georgia. He settled in New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene. He achieved international fame as a drag queen with the release of his debut single, "Supermodel (You Better Work)", which was included on his debut studio album Supermodel of the World (1993). He became a spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics in 1994, raising money for the Mac AIDS Fund and becoming the first drag queen to land a major cosmetics campaign. He later received his own talk show on VH1 called The RuPaul Show, which he hosted for over 100 episodes while co-hosting the morning radio show on WKTU with Michelle Visage.
RuPaul's Drag Race was created in 2009 and has gone on to produce fourteen seasons in the United States. The show has also seen success internationally, with several international variants of the show being made, such as RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Canada's Drag Race. This has also inspired several spin-offs of the main show, including RuPaul's Drag U, RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars, and RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race. He is also featured as a host on other reality television series such as Skin Wars, Good Work, and Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul.
RuPaul has made appearances in films such as Crooklyn (1994), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), television shows such as Girlboss (2017), Broad City (2017), and Grace and Frankie (2019). He later created and starred in his own Netflix original television series AJ and the Queen (2020). In addition, he has also published three books: Lettin' It All Hang Out (1995), Workin' It! RuPaul's Guide to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Style (2010), and GuRu (2018).
RuPaul is considered the most commercially successful drag queen in the United States. For his work on RuPaul's Drag Race, he has received 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most-awarded person of color in the history of the Primetime Emmys. Outside of film and television, he also continues to write and record music; he has released fourteen studio albums as of 2022, and received a Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the musical A Strange Loop.
Sissy That Walk
RuPaul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't forget what, don't forget what my mama said
People talking since the beginning of time
Unless they paying your bills, pay them bitches no mind
And if I fly, or if I fall
Least I can say, I gave it all
And if I fly, or if I fall
I'm on my way, I'm on my way
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, now sissy that walk
Better beware, ain't no T, ain't no shade
But at the same time, bitches better get out the way
I'm a femme queen, mother of a house of no shame
My pussy is on fire, now kiss the flame
And if I fly, or if I fall
Least I can say, I gave it all
And if I fly, or if I fall
I'm on my way, I'm on my way
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, now sissy that walk
And if I fly, or if I fall
Least I can say, I gave it all
And if I fly, or if I fall
I'm on my way, I'm on my way
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, now sissy that walk
The lyrics to RuPaul's song "Sissy That Walk" celebrate individuality, perseverance, and self-expression. From the opening line, "Pick myself up, turn the world on its head," RuPaul encourages listeners to take control of their own lives and to not forget the lessons learned from their mothers. The chorus emphasizes the importance of giving one's all, even if success and failure are both possible outcomes. The repeated command to "fly, fly, fly" reinforces this idea of pushing oneself to new heights, both creatively and personally.
The second verse of the song establishes RuPaul's self-confidence and identity as a femme queen, and warns those who might try to undermine her or her community ("ain't no T, ain't no shade, but at the same time, bitches better get out the way"). The line "my pussy is on fire, now kiss the flame" is a playful, empowering declaration that RuPaul is in control of her own sexuality and desires.
Overall, "Sissy That Walk" is a celebration of the drag community and those who embrace their authentic selves, regardless of societal norms or expectations. By encouraging listeners to "sissy that walk," RuPaul is urging them to put their best foot forward and to embrace their own unique style and identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick myself up, turn the world on its head
I will take control of my life and make my own path
Don't forget what, don't forget what my mama said
I will remember the wisdom my mother has taught me
People talking since the beginning of time
People have always and will always talk about each other
Unless they paying your bills, pay them bitches no mind
It's not worth my time to listen to people criticizing me if they're not supporting me financially
And if I fly, or if I fall
Least I can say, I gave it all
Whether I succeed or fail, I will know that I put in my best effort
I'm on my way, I'm on my way
I am in control of my journey
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, now sissy that walk
I will soar and strut confidently, defying anyone who tries to bring me down
Better beware, ain't no T, ain't no shade
But at the same time, bitches better get out the way
I'm not trying to start drama, but anyone who tries to block my path will regret it
I'm a femme queen, mother of a house of no shame
My pussy is on fire, now kiss the flame
I embrace my femininity and lead a group that rejects societal norms without shame or apology
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, uh oh
Fly, fly, fly, fly, uh oh, now sissy that walk
I will continue to fly high and own my confidence, while challenging others to do the same
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rupaul Andre Charles, Lucian Michael Piane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind